Trump appoints Stephen Miller as deputy policy chief in the new administration

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump appoints longtime adviser Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner, as deputy policy chief of his new administration.

Vice President-elect JD Vance confirmed the appointment and sent a congratulatory message to Miller on X on Monday, saying, “This is another fantastic presidential choice.” The announcement was first reported by CNN.

Miller is one of Trump's most senior advisers, having worked for the White House in his first campaign. He was a senior adviser in Trump's first term and played a central role in many of his policy decisions, particularly on immigration, including Trump's move in 2018 to separate thousands of immigrant families as a deterrence program.

Miller also helped craft many of Trump's hard-hitting speeches and was often the public face of those policies during Trump's first term and campaign.

Since leaving the White House, Miller has been president of America First Legal, an organization of former Trump advisers that is considered a conservative version of the organization American Civil Liberties Unionchallenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others on issues such as freedom of speech and religion and national security.

He was also a frequent presence during Trump's campaign this year, traveling aboard his plane and often speaking in front of Trump during pre-shows at his rallies.

Miller sparked huge cheers at Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden in the final stretch of the race, telling the crowd that “your redemption is near” after what he called “decades of abuse heaped on the good people of this nation.” “was” – their jobs were stolen, looted and shipped to Mexico, Asia and abroad. The lives of their loved ones have been stolen by illegal immigrants, criminal gangs and thugs who do not belong in this country.”

“We stand here today at a crossroads,” he continued, calling the election “a choice between betrayal and renewal, between self-destruction and redemption, between the failure of America or the triumph of America.”

Because this is not a Cabinet position, the appointment does not require Senate confirmation. ___ Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report.